At age 34, Penn is scheduled to make $3.4 million in the last year of a two year deal that he signed in 2016. This contract places him as the ninth highest paid left tackle based on salary, per USA Today. After bonuses, Penn would be the 19th highest paid tackle.

Penn finished as the 12th highest graded tackle, per Pro Football Focus. The Raiders left tackle only allowed one sack last season. It was the sack that ended up injuring quarterback Derek Carr, but Penn has still been one of the most consistent Raiders over the past three seasons.

Still, who can blame Penn for demanding more money? With all the controversy surrounding the NFL and head injuries, players deserve a ton of money. Especially offensive linemen who deliver punishment on every single play.

Plus, Penn is responsible for protecting the blindside of Carr, who is the Raiders highest paid player. At the start of camp, Carr said he would not put his hands in another man’s pocket by commenting on Penn’s holdout. Clearly, the franchise quarterback understands where his two-time Pro Bowl left tackle is coming from.

Otherwise, Raiders offensive line coach Mike Tice recently said the team is preparing to enter the season without Penn. He said he can not sit and wonder when D.P. is going to come back. Tice also said Penn’s absence allows the team to develop depth on the offensive line, per ESPN.

Projected right tackle Marshall Newhouse is spending his time at left tackle. Second-year tackle Vadal Alexander is the starting right tackle. Rookie David Sharpe is playing on both sides. Alexander is a seventh round pick that made five starts last season. Newhouse is a journey man with 56 career starts over his six-year career.

However, All-Pro offensive guard Osemele Osemele said he would be confident starting the season without Penn. He said the offensive line relies on double teams and being in sync. Therefore, it will be difficult with Penn to show up Week 1 without going through camp.

Don’t forget Penn also struggled with his weight in Tampa, so skipping camp might not be best for his conditioning.

Either way, Penn is holding out for top-10 tackle money. He signed his deal at a bargain last season, in hopes that the Raiders would renegotiate his deal in good faith. Oakland has $13.27 million left in cap space. Why can’t the Raiders break Penn off with a few more dollars to keep the big man healthy? He’s never been paid like he should over his career.

Still, GM Reggie McKenzie hasn’t budged on his stance. McKenzie said Penn has a deal and he wanted in camp, per the Mercury News. McKenzie has not gotten his wish since the Raiders concluded camp.

Will the Raiders finally pay their left tackle? Let us know via the poll above.

Brockers said Donald is probably working out somewhere and he is sick to his stomach not being with the team. He also said he expects Donald to be out there somewhere.

Donald is scheduled to make $1.8 million this season $6.9 million in 2018. Those are the last two years of his rookie contract, which the Rams picked up their team option for the fifth year. His salary is 31st among defensive tackles this season and No. 13 for 2018, per Spotrac.

Even after 2018, the Rams can use their franchise designation on Donald which would deny him free agency for at least another season. Therefore, the Rams still have all the leverage.

Before Donald sat out the first preseason game, GM Les Snead said there was no movement in contract negotiations. Still, Snead said there is hope that Donald will be a Ram for a long time. What does that mean exactly?

Rams players like Tavon Austin and Robert Quinn both got deals before/during their fourth seasons. Thus, there is a precedent that Donald could get his new deal soon.

Plus, a knee injury to defensive tackle Dominique Easley earlier this offseason shows how short an NFL career can be. So no one can really blame Donald for wanting more money.

Donald registered 28 sacks, 110 tackles and 4 forced fumbles through his first three seasons. The 26-year-old is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection.

He also rated as PFF’s No. 1 rated defensive tackle with a 98.5 accumulative grade. That was only slightly lower than the 99.3 accumulative grade he registered in 2015.

Nonetheless, the Rams need Donald in camp sooner than later. L.A. is in a new defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Donald needs to learn the playbook and his new assignments as a base 3-4 end. When will the Rams finally give in and pay this man? Or will they allow this hold out to carry on into the regular season?

Donald has already sat out minicamp and training camp. He has not been seen at the facility since veterans first reported to camp.

Let us know if the Rams should pay Aaron Donald via the poll above.

Follow Left Coast Sports for more polls on hot topics facing the West Coast NFL teams.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/los-angeles-rams-should-l-a-pay-aaron-donald/feed/0NFL: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49erser7treyOakland Raiders: Five Observations from Week 1 of the preseasonhttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-five-observations-from-week-1-of-the-preseason/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-five-observations-from-week-1-of-the-preseason/#respondMon, 14 Aug 2017 13:36:50 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=726444On Saturday night, the Oakland Raiders played their first pre season game against the Arizona...]]>On Saturday night, the Oakland Raiders played their first pre season game against the Arizona Cardinals. With many starters not playing (including Derek Carr,Amari Cooper and Marshawn Lynch), there was no surprise, the Raiders looked off. The first team defense was not able to get Carson Palmer off the field on several third downs, allowing the Cardinals to score on their first position. That set the tone for the rest of the game. Offensively, EJ Manuel and company struggled to net positive drives in the first half. Finally, and probably the biggest story from the game, Marshawn Lynch sat during the national anthem. Here are some key observations from the game against the Cardinals.

1. Rookie Marquel Lee played like a rookie on Saturday. He seemed a little lost during his reads, which is expected for a young guy. At the same time, the former Demon Deacon played with a high motor all night. With that being said, Lee should get better with more reps, but the Raiders need him to improve quickly to take control of the middle linebacker position.

Marquel Lee in coverage looks like it might be brutal this year. If he gets the starting Mike, team will need to scheme around him in covg.

2. The debut of Eddie Vanderdoes was solid, as expected by his impressive camp thus far. Several times, the former UCLA Bruin controlled the line of scrimmage and held firm in his gap assignments. At this rate, Vanderdoes will have a strong impact on the defense this season.

Sneak Peak for you late nighters: Watch Eddie Vanderdoes DT to the top of the screen knock 71 back. Skrooongg pic.twitter.com/Wf0zte92cN

3. Sean Smith’s training camp struggles carried over to the game in Arizona. Smith was flagged for pass interference early in the game. What made matters worse, he was turned around on several plays. None more apparent then the double move that should have been completed for a touchdown if a better pass was thrown. Smith will need to dig deep to turn things around, because if doesn’t, more snaps will be lost once Gareon Conley returns to the practice field.

4. On offense, the line was pushed back on multiple plays on Saturday. If this game taught Reggie McKenzie anything, it was Donald Penn is needed. Since the unit was missing a lot of starters, no need for concern regarding the skill positions. On the bright note, EJ Manuel continued to solidify his spot as the backup quarterback with his solid performance.

5. Lynch, who did not play in the game, sat during the nation anthem. Head Coach Jack Del Rio stated after the game that he talked to the Oakland native regarding his action afterwards. Lynch made it known to Del Rio that he’s sat during the anthem for 11 years now, so this was just him being himself. Del Rio reiterated to the media that this will not be an issue for the team.

Photos show Marshawn Lynch, who suited up but did not play, sitting on a cooler during the national anthem. https://t.co/nFGgttmCiU

Raider Nation, no need to panic. This game had several big stars sitting out. And the stars who did play, like Mack, played a series at most. The starters should play next week, when the Raiders host the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. After that game, we can really start to analyze the team as a whole.

From the list of player you were excited to see on Saturday, which player played the best? Which one struggled? Lastly, do you think Sean Smith can turn things around before the start of the season? Let me know in the comments below.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for all your Raiders, Warriors, and Athletics related articles and news. And don’t forget to bookmark and follow the best west coast sports website, Left Coast Sports!

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-five-observations-from-week-1-of-the-preseason/feed/0Oakland Raiders v Arizona Cardinalsazaragoza02MLB Players Appreciation Weekend: Which nicknames reign supreme?http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/mlb-players-appreciation-weekend-which-nicknames-reign-supreme/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/mlb-players-appreciation-weekend-which-nicknames-reign-supreme/#respondSun, 13 Aug 2017 22:20:11 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=726179Last week, Major League Baseball released the official jerseys, with nicknames, that each team and...]]>Last week, Major League Baseball released the official jerseys, with nicknames, that each team and player will wear during the Players Appreciation Weekend later this month. Some players elected to use their last name and in some cases their first name, rather than a unique handle. For the most part, during the weekend of August 22-24, the majority of the players took part in this fun and creative activity that the MLB and players union added this season. After the weekend’s festivities, the game worn jerseys will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation. Without further ado, here are the best names from the West Coast.

This fan base can understand, with all of the moves they typically make every year, PTBNL is the acronym for “player to be named later” in trade lingo. On a good day, Chris Smith can get his velocity in the mid 80’s on command so Rock n Fire will get its laughs around the clubhouse. Lastly, and quite possibly the best nickname of the weekend, Blake Treinen went with B-Lockay, a reference from the show Key and Peele.

The 1990’s generation will love the Saved by the Bell reference with AC, from Austin Slater. This list would not be complete if Mad-Bum wasn’t on it. Along with Bumgarner, Jeff Samardzija has had his nickname Shark for quite some time now, dating back to his Chicago Cubs days. The coolest first and last name combination goes to Denard Span with Spaniard.

You have to really appreciate Kyle Seager embracing his brother’s success with his nickname, Corey’s Brother. You can never go wrong with a little Hubba Hubba. Nelson Cruz is known for the long ball, so Boomstick is very fitting.

Winner of “Nickname that best represents the personality of the player” award goes to Yasiel Puig with Wild Horse. Homage to the great children’s character Yogi Bear, Logan Forsythe went with his version with Logie Bear. The old man in the group, Chase Utley decided to embrace his look and went with Silver Fox.

The playful back and forth battle between Mike Trout and Garret Richards created a funny combination. Trout went with his long time nickname of Kiiiid, but with five “i”, so Richards went with Garrrrrett that included five “r”.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/mlb-players-appreciation-weekend-which-nicknames-reign-supreme/feed/0players weekendazaragoza02Touchdowns and Tangents Podcast: Headshots over Haymakershttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/touchdowns-and-tangents-podcast-headshots-over-haymakers/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/touchdowns-and-tangents-podcast-headshots-over-haymakers/#respondSat, 12 Aug 2017 08:01:58 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=725828What’s going on with the rookies in the AFC West? Who is sticking out and...]]>What’s going on with the rookies in the AFC West? Who is sticking out and who needs work? Kenneth and Pete also talk about the latest NFL training camp injuries. They share thoughts on the referees becoming full-time employees. Plus, they laugh about that Los Angeles football fight between the Chargers and Rams. The Touchdowns and Tangents Podcast is the unofficial home of the AFC West Podcast for the Greatness Podcast Network.

This podcast is more than a football podcast for football heads by football heads. TDs & Tangents features topical tangents and endless banter surrounding the NFL, culture, and society. That means race, sex, hip hop, food, politics, economics, religion and almost everything else comes up during this football podcast.

Left Coast Sports is proud to become the new home for the Touchdowns and Tangents Podcast. The podcast by Pete D. Camarillo and Kenneth Berry already features about 30 episodes of content surrounding the NFL and other topical cultural tangents. This duo has been deflating the sports podcast competition since 2015.

Give Tds & Tangents a listen here, on Spreaker, on Soundcloud, the iHeartradio app, in Apple Podcast app or the Google Music store. You can also follow Touchdowns and Tangents on Twitter, like them on Facebook and add them on Instagram. Trust their process.

Los Angeles sent corner E.J. Gaines and a second round pick to Buffalo for Watkins and a sixth round pick.

Watkins is the latest Buffalo Bills receiver to join the Rams. In free agency, the Rams added former Bills receiver Robert Woods too. Watkins is also the latest Clemson WR to come to L.A. The Chargers drafted former Tigers receiver Mike Williams too.

Buffalo traded up for the No. 4 pick to get Watkins but injuries and a mediocre offense has prevented him from reaching that ceiling. They declined his fifth year option earlier this offseason so it appeared they were ready to move on from Watkins sooner rather than later.

Still, Watkins had 430 receiving yards and two touchdowns in eight games for Buffalo last season. He has 2,549 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns for his career.

So what should Rams fans expect from Watkins?

How many receiving yards will Sammy Watkins get in Year One with #Rams

Watkins is a versatile receiver who can lineup on the outside or inside. He’s shown ability to stretch the field, lineup in the slot, run the ball, take screens the distance and get open in the intermediate area. He fits the mold for Rams receivers with good acceleration and a strong route tree.

Further, Watkins finished as the 47th graded receiver with a 76.8 grade from Pro Football Focus.

Expect the Rams to line him up all over the field. As long as Watkins stays healthy, he’s the Rams best receiver. Head coach Sean McVay should utilize Watkins all over the offense. This appears to be the Rams latest attempt to build around Goff.

For Watkins, his deal expires after this season. He has one season to prove he is a No. 1 receiver worthy of a fat payday. Watkins will earn his next salary by helping prove that he can turnaround Goff and the Rams offense. Watkins’ playmaking in the passing game should also help Todd Gurley find less defenders in the box. Last season, Gurley struggled. Some of that falls on the lackluster passing game the Rams fielded on game day.

Watkins can also become a star in Los Angeles if he starts making explosive plays. This team was desperate for big plays last year and now they’ll be competing with the Chargers for attention from the Los Angeles market. Adding a playmaker like Watkins could help the Rams win games and gain some fans.

Otherwise, the Rams may have wasted a second round pick if Watkins is too injured or doesn’t find immediate success. Even with a great season, Watkins can still bounce via free agency after the year.

Either way, the Rams latest offseason acquisition has caught the the NFL’s attention. Hopefully, Watkins and the Rams can keep that attention with a breakout season.

Thus, how many receiving yards do you expect from Watkins with the Rams? Let us know in the poll.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/los-angeles-rams-how-many-receiving-yards-will-sammy-watkins-get/feed/0Miami Dolphins v Buffalo Billser7treySammy Watkins RamsOakland Raiders: Why we can’t forget about Aldon Smith http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-why-we-cant-forget-about-aldon-smith/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-why-we-cant-forget-about-aldon-smith/#respondThu, 10 Aug 2017 23:25:35 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=725455Gareon Conley’s dismissed charges had the entire Raiders fan base sighing with relief. But let’s...]]>Gareon Conley’s dismissed charges had the entire Raiders fan base sighing with relief. But let’s not forget there is still one Raider in exile. There’s still one member of the Silver and Black awaiting a decision on his NFL future.Aldon Smith has no update on his reinstatement. As fans, we can’t just sweep this under the rug and forget about Smith.

On the field, Smith has 47.5 sacks in 59 career games. The Raiders desperately need that addition to a defense that only had seven sacks from players not named Khalil Mack or Bruce Irvin last season. Smith’s versatility fits exactly what the Raiders need in a hybrid end and linebacker. But none of that matters is Smith isn’t reinstated.

Players like Mack and Derek Carr have showed their support for Smith with tweets in the past. This shows the kind of teammate that he is.

Regardless, it appears that the Raiders might be ready to move on because they already assigned his number 99 to Fadol Brown. This is a minor formality but proof that Smith is out of sight and out of mind. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said as much before the draft. McKenzie said the team was not considering the pass rusher who is still on the injured/reserved list.

However, head coach Jack Del Rio has expressed how he would like to help Smith. Late in the season, Del Rio expressed his disappointment with the entire process. JDR said Smith should have a right to make a living if he has a chance to return to the league.

The truth is, we don’t know if Smith has a chance at returning to the league. The NFL hasn’t made it public.

What we do know is that Smith was detained for a car accident and being drunk in public. We do know there was that video after where he seemed drunk. There’s also the video that may or may not have been him sparking a weed blunt. There was also the investigation into a domestic violence incident. Still, none of that resulted in charges.

Granted, the NFL does consider incidents that tarnish the brand of the shield. Whatever that means… Thus, Smith’s inability to stay out of the press might be enough to keep him suspended indefinitely. If that is the case, the NFL needs to tell us and Smith that.

Otherwise, keeping Smith from earning a living is just wrong. If his social media videos are any indication, Smith is staying in shape and he wants to return. The NFL shouldn’t keep Smith from jeopardizing his body in this brutal game, if he is good enough and able to play. If the team doesn’t want to deal with the headache, let them determine that not the NFL.

Ultimately, Smith might find himself in a Daryl Washington situation. Smith might find himself too far removed from his prime when he is actually reinstated. The Raiders might even cut Smith when he is reinstated just because they’re so far removed from him being on the team.

Still, Smith deserves a decision. The NFL can’t just hijack Smith’s prime without making an official decision. The support system of the Raiders may help Smith build a steady environment that keeps him from drinking and getting into situations.

On the other hand, Smith might need to face the harsh reality that he will never play again. Until he sees that in writing, the 27-year-old may never find the strength to overcome his battle with alcoholism.

Substance Abuse is an illness that millions of people suffer with everyday. The NFL needs to stop acting like its some saint that didn’t admit to causing head injuries and pain killer abuse. Those are separate issues but the point is we haven’t turned our back on the NFL. The NFL shouldn’t abandon its players or keep them in limbo.

At the very least, the NFL should stop acting like substance abuse is some nasty habit that is easily kicked. We all know some one who has dealt with substance issues. We all know work and support are keys to overcoming these issues. The NFL can provide that with Smith if they determine he is worthy of wearing the shield. Again, what does that mean?

Either way, the NFL needs to make a decision on Aldon Smith’s future. The Raiders, Smith and the fans can all move on once we know if the pass rusher can come or go.

Smith had the potential to become one of the greatest pass rushers ever. He deserves to know if it is worth pursuing that potential still or close the chapter entirely. Until a decision on Smith’s reinstatement is final, it’s Free Aldon!

Follow Pete Camarillo on Twitter for more Raiders and West Coast Sports updates.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-why-we-cant-forget-about-aldon-smith/feed/0Minnesota Vikings v Oakland Raiderser7treyFree Aldon SmithOakland Raiders Training Camp: First week player reviewhttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-training-camp-first-week-player-review/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-training-camp-first-week-player-review/#respondWed, 09 Aug 2017 16:39:17 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=724824After a week and a half of training camp, Napa Valley has been full of...]]>After a week and a half of training camp, Napa Valley has been full of excitement. From holdouts, rookies moving up the charts and veterans regulated to second team, the Oakland Raiders camp has opened the eyes of coaches and many fans around the west coast. Heading into their first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night, here’s some key players and stories regarding the first part of training camp.

Biggest player missing from camp: Donald Penn

There’s been a few nagging injuries in camp so far (Amari Cooper), but nothing with the same impact as Donald Penn’s contract holdout with the team. Penn is in the final year of his 2 year, $11.9 million dollar contract with the Raiders, on pace to make $5.8 million this season. He’s been rock solid for the team the last three years, so his request is hard to argue against. This situation can go either way, but with the release of Austin Howard before camp, money is available to push Penn into the top 10 paid LT’s.

The undrafted free agent from Duke is making a name for himself. The buzz started to circulate after team mate and starting quarterback Derek Carr praised Breon Borders for his ability to make plays during camp. To a point where the former Blue Devil has started to take first team snaps at nickle corner. 2017 first round draft pick Gareon Conley is still not practicing with the team, so the UDFA is making the best of his opportunity in his absence. At this rate, Borders is doing everything necessary to make the Raiders 53 man roster.

After the Raiders signed Cordarrelle Patterson to a two year deal this past offseason, many believed the former Minnesota Viking would not only take kick return duties from Jalen Richard, but also make a strong run at slot receiver. Seth Roberts has helped his case for the #3 WR spot with a strong showing thus far. He’s minimized the drops and continued to improve his route running during the first week of camp. Roberts has made some impressive catches thus far, continuing to build that relationship with Carr. The competition from Patterson is bringing out the best in Roberts.

Sean Smith has had a rough stretch so far. The Pasadena native was demoted to the second team last week after his poor start to training camp. TJ Carrie took the reps at his corner spot, opposite David Amerson. Smith, on the last year of guaranteed money in his contract, is not in danger of losing his roster spot. Rather, his reps may dwindle if his play continues at this level.

Marquel Lee was also a candidate at this spot, but Eddie Vanderdoes has done nothing but preform thus far in camp. Already playing with the first team defense, the former UCLA Bruin has been harassing and sacking Carr since the start of camp. The knock on Vanderdoes going into the draft was his conditioning and stamina, but it seems like these questions have been answered.

Bruce Irvin and Eddie Vanderdoes get in the backfield for the sack. #Raiders

Agree with these players in each category? If not, who would you replace these guys with? Let me know in the comments below.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for all your Raiders, Warriors, and Athletics related articles and news. And don’t forget to bookmark and follow the best west coast sports website, Left Coast Sports!

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/oakland-raiders-training-camp-first-week-player-review/feed/0Oakland Raiders v Baltimore Ravensazaragoza0249ers Roundtable: San Francisco’s Weaknesses, Strengths, Questions and Expectationshttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/49ers-roundtable-san-franciscos-weaknesses-strengths-questions-and-expectations/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/49ers-roundtable-san-franciscos-weaknesses-strengths-questions-and-expectations/#respondSat, 05 Aug 2017 15:12:43 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=724111The final round of the NFL West Coast Training Camp Roundtable goes to several 49ers...]]>The final round of the NFL West Coast Training Camp Roundtable goes to several 49ers experts from across the web. Stephanie McCarroll, Chris Wilson, Mitchell Blahut and Kevin Molina all write for different 49ers websites. Each one offers their insights on San Francisco’s weaknesses, strenths, questions and expectations via email as the team heads into training camp.

What are the 49ers’ biggest weaknesses headed into the season?

Stephanie McCarroll: …And while there is hope with the new regime, only time will tell. Since the 2013 NFCCG versus the Seattle Seahawks, which resulted in a 23-17 loss, the 49ers have struggled with the offensive line. The stability of left tackle, Joe Staley is waning due to the brunt of the last three seasons and his age is not helping. At 32, he leads the team morally but there have been no standouts along side him in the past three years.

Right tackle, Trent Brown was mediocre at best in run support. Further, OG Joshua Garnett, the 2016 1st round pick, had a disappointing rookie season. Yet, it appears there are new faces in the mix, i.e., Jeremy Zuttah, Tim Barnes, Brandon Fusco and Garry Gilliam. Even so, the OL will undoubtedly struggle learning a new blocking scheme under Shanahan.

If we judge Shanahan’s offense, a lot of calls require an outside-zone approach. It is a lot to learn, especially for a group that has had four schematic offensive changes under four coaching staffs for the fourth straight season.

Mitchell Blahut: Starting off with the obvious is the quarterback position. Not many teams are going to have a winning record with Brian Hoyer as the starter. Plus, with guys like Matt Barkley and CJ Beathard as backups, it doesn’t seem to make fans optimistic about this stuff…

Chris Wilson:The San Francisco 49ers’ biggest weakness this season was also their biggest weakness the past two seasons: their offensive line. The 49ers’ offensive line was the NFL’s worst over the past two years, per Football Outsiders, and is a major reason why the Niners won only 7 games over that timeframe. The new 49ers front office recognized this problem, and brought in a handful of players to compete for starting positions in 2017; Pro Bowl center Jeremy Zuttah was the team’s biggest offseason addition on the line, and will be an immediate starter. The 49ers also added tackle Gary Gilliam, guard Brandon Fusco and center Tim Barnes. Although all three linemen started for other teams in 2016, none are locks for starting jobs in 2017, but they should provide competition in a group that needs immediate improvement.

Kevin Molina: Defensively, their biggest weakness is one that many teams struggle with and that’s EDGE pass rushing. The current group of EDGE rushers can be disruptive from time to time, but they are either completely unproven or on the downside of their careers. In the last few years, they have made a serious investment in their interior pass rush group and that will in time show real benefits. Just ask Aaron Donald and Muhammad Wilkerson about the damage they can wreck from the interior. In 2017, the interior group of DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead (who even though has been lumped in at the LEO position will still likely be an interior pass rusher) will have to lead the way while the EDGE rush group will have to be more than the sum of their parts. The 49ers have no illusions about this position, they understand its importance and that they need to commit real resources to rectify it. In the 2018 offseason, they have an estimated $113 million in salary cap space and they will have five draft picks in the top 100 selections, so this weakness will almost assuredly be addressed.

What are the 49ers’ biggest strengths?

Stephanie McCarroll: Although the 49ers struggled on the defensive end of the ball last season, the new brass made the defensive a priority. General manager, John Lynch used his first three NFL Draft picks to address defense. He also made significant moves in free agency.

In the 49ers’ 2-14 abysmal season, there was hardly a bright spot. However, if you look at the play of DE DeForest Bucker, he certainly shined. Buckner led all interior defenders in snaps last season.

Yet, there is room for improvement, the 49ers allowed franchise highs in rushing yards (2,654) and all-purpose yards (6,502). Hence, the NFL Draft No. 3 all around pick, DE Solomon Thomas from Stanford made complete sense. Although NT Earl Mitchell was signed in free agency, there was a serious need in the trenches. Thomas reinforced the front seven and alongside Mitchell, it appears the run defense has been addressed. If Arik Armstead returns from his season ending injury, he can become another significant component to a new 4-3 defense needing strength and depth.

All-pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman and first-round rookie, LB Reuben Foster should only add fuel to the fire. Additionally, with LB Malcolm Smith and pass rusher, Elvis Dumervil in the mix, the defensive group is a definite bright spot, especially when it comes to talent and depth.

Mitchell Blahut: The young unit that is coming in from this year’s draft. The first-rounders of Thomas and Foster will be solid pieces in fixing the defense. Also, the additions of offensive guys like Joe Williams and George Kittle is also something to get excited about. Not to mention with the early cornerstones that the team added in the 2016 Draft with Buckner and Robinson.

The running game is also something to look at with the acquisition of fullback, Kyle Juszczyk and the new zone-stretch scheme that Shanahan implements.

Chris Wilson: The 49ers’ biggest strength in 2017 was one of their biggest weaknesses in 2016: their defensive front seven. Last year, injuries and scheme issues turned a young and talented front seven into a group that opposing defenses ran against at will. This offseason, the Niners added a number of veterans and two first-round draft picks to their defensive line and linebacker corp. The 49ers now have four first-round picks from the last three drafts and three previous All-Pros among their front seven defenders. Expect the 49ers’ run defense to improve dramatically in the upcoming season.

Kevin Molina: …While I am tempted to answer that the biggest strength offensively is the group of running backs that this team has assembled, the clear answer is the offensive coaching staff that Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have put together. This is a group that has continuity, experience, youth and obvious talent. The two positions that Shanahan builds his offense around, the offensive line and the running back positions are being coached by the two most experienced coaches on the staff, Bobby Turner and John Benton. Two coaches that have a long history with Shanahan and/or their disciples (Benton worked in HOU with Kyle and Gary Kubiak). They know exactly how to scheme and teach what Kyle is looking for. His passing game specialist and run game specialist, Mike LaFleur and Mike McDaniel, are key Shanahan assistants that have followed him throughout the course of his career (LaFleur from CLE to ATL to SF, McDaniel from HOU to WAS to CLE to ATL to SF). Even the position that assumed to be the biggest weakness in terms of production in the Shanahan offense, the TE position is being coached by a former college HC who has coached Tony Gonzalez and Jordan Cameron during their respective pro bowl seasons and Cameron Brate, who last season tied for the league lead in TDs by a TE. While the talent on the field is not where the organization wants it to be and is obviously still in transition, the talent on the sidelines will help to negate some of the potential deficiencies they will have and help to put the players in the best place to succeed.

What are your biggest questions heading into the 49ers’ season?

Stephanie McCarroll: So far, so good with the new regime. It is pretty obvious John Lynch nailed the 2017 draft, but it is easy to be excited at this juncture. Everyone needs to temper their excitement with reality and at this point, some things are very much in the air.

One huge question mark is Brian Hoyer. As the key musician on offense, he is literally leading the symphony. While Hoyer has experience under center, we really do not know how well he will do or if he is merely a placeholder at this point…

Is NaVorro Bowman going to stay healthy for 2017? He is one of the team’s leaders and best players. However, he can’t keep himself on the field.

Chris Wilson: Like any rebuilding team in the NFL, the 2017 49ers will begin the season with more questions than answers. How will new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh implement the team’s new 4-3 under/over hybrid scheme? How will the 49ers — particularly free-safety-convert Jimmy Ward, and strong-safety-convert Eric Reid — transition to the team’s new Cover-3 Press scheme? Can quarterback Brian Hoyer stay healthy, and can linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Reuben Foster return to pre-injury form?

Kevin Molina: There are several questions that need to be answered defensively: How will Jimmie Ward handle the FS position? What is the status of Reuben Foster’s shoulder? How will NaVorro Bowman recover from his Achilles injury? Can Aaron Lynch ever return to his 2014-2015 form? Does Elvis Dumervil have anything left in the tank to be productive enough as the team’s primary LEO pass rusher? How productive can Solomon Thomas be in Year one?

What are you most excited for in the coming 49ers’ season?

Stephanie McCarroll:Improvement should be the overall goal this season. The 49ers have a lot of work ahead of them and the 2012 run should of showed fans how difficult it is to make a championship run. There are so many components and nearly every one has to go in the team’s favor.

The 49ers 2017-2018 schedule is a tough one. And, 5 of the first 8 games are on the road. But, this is the game, hard-nosed opponents. If the 49ers can compete and pull out some wins, we will see a clear direction (either way) of where this team is headed.

Mitchell Blahut: I’m excited to see what Shanahan has planned for 2017 with the wrinkles he’s put into the offense. As well as the addition of new defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, and the Seahawks-esque defensive scheme he will put in place for this young and improving defense.

Chris Wilson: I’m most excited to see how new head coach Kyle Shanahan implements his distinct style of offense in San Francisco. No one expects Shanahan — who led the best offensive in the NFL in 2016 — to immediately replicate his recent feats, but I believe progress will be made over the course of the season. I expect Shanahan to be aggressive on offense, and for the 49ers to be more competitive in 2017. The rebuild will take longer than a single season, but I’m excited to watch Shanahan and the 49ers build the foundation necessary for future success.

Kevin Molina: What I am most excited for in the 2017 season can be said for all aspects of the team and that is a return to competency. It has been a few seasons since 49ers have been able to say that the on the field product was competent. While it may be way too early to say that that’s the level of confidence that Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have breathed into the organization. The way they carry themselves and the level of intelligence and self-awareness they speak with has given me the confidence to say that this franchise has returned to being a well-run operation. That has me most excited for this upcoming season. While its hard to pinpoint how many wins this team will have — although I do think there is more talent on this team than most are giving them credit for — but they will definitely be a far more competitive team than we saw in the 2016 season (excluding the games they played against the Rams). The on the field product will be better coached, better positioned and will be more aggressive. Plenty of mistakes will be made, that’s to be expected from a group that has had as much turnover as this team has endured but for as many mistakes as they will make there will be plenty of opportunities for this team to make explosive and positive plays that will show that this team is heading in the right direction.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/49ers-roundtable-san-franciscos-weaknesses-strengths-questions-and-expectations/feed/0Dallas Cowboys v San Francisco 49erser7treyTouchdowns and Tangents: How the AFC West was wonhttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/touchdowns-and-tangents-how-the-afc-west-was-won/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/touchdowns-and-tangents-how-the-afc-west-was-won/#respondSat, 05 Aug 2017 05:58:45 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=724057The Touchdowns and Tangents podcast covers the entire AFC West this week. Kenneth and Pete...]]>The Touchdowns and Tangents podcast covers the entire AFC West this week. Kenneth and Pete give a team by team break down of position battles, injuries, story lines and tangents for each team in the division. Give it a listen for insights about the Chargers, Raiders, Broncos, and Chiefs.

This podcast is more than a football podcast for football heads by football heads. TDs & Tangents features topical tangents and endless banter surrounding the NFL, culture, and society. That means race, sex, hip hop, food, politics, economics, religion and almost everything else comes up during this football podcast.

Left Coast Sports is proud to become the new home for the Touchdowns and Tangents Podcast. The podcast by Pete D. Camarillo and Kenneth Berry already features about 30 episodes of content surrounding the NFL and other topical cultural tangents. This duo has been deflating the sports podcast competition since 2015.

Give Tds & Tangents a listen here, on Spreaker, on Soundcloud, the iHeartradio app, in Apple Podcast app or the Google Music store. You can also follow Touchdowns and Tangents on Twitter, like them on Facebook and add them on Instagram. Trust their process.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/touchdowns-and-tangents-how-the-afc-west-was-won/feed/0Howarder7treyNFL training Camp updates podcastRaiders Roundtable: Weaknesses, Strengths, Questions and Expectations for Oakland in 2017http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/raiders-roundtable-weaknesses-strengths-questions-and-expectations-for-oakland-in-2017/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/raiders-roundtable-weaknesses-strengths-questions-and-expectations-for-oakland-in-2017/#respondThu, 03 Aug 2017 15:23:17 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=723462The Oakland Raiders have one of the strongest fanbases and blogospheres in the entire NFL....]]>The Oakland Raiders have one of the strongest fanbases and blogospheres in the entire NFL. Find out what happens when you ask a bunch of Raiders experts a series of questions, via email, ahead of training camp. These writers and bloggers all share insights on the Raiders’ strengths, weaknesses, questions and expectations headed into the 2017 season.

What are the Raiders’ biggest weaknesses heading into the season?

Ray Aspuria: Interior pass rush and middle linebacker are glaring items for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. While it’s conceivable the Raiders mask the deficiency at inside linebacker by playing more nickel and dime formations, the lack of a pass rush from the defensive tackle positions remains a concern. Getting a consistent rush from Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack on the outside coupled with someone attacking from the inside makes the entire defense better.

Maliik Obee:The biggest weaknesses for the Oakland Raiders are at the right tackle and linebacker positions… My early pick for starting right tackle is Vadal Alexander. In his rookie season, the 7th-rounder stepped up when needed, certainly possessing the intangibles to win the spot. As far as the linebackers, the uncertainty looming of whether or not veteran Perry Riley Jr. will resign is aggravating. Riley was the best linebacker in 2016 for a unit cluttered with raw talent like Cory James. On the flip, guys like Jelani Jenkins have proven to be usable when he is actually healthy. The biggest issue for the Raiders linebacker corp is putting out a group inept at coverage, a skill-set that the Raiders have lacked at the linebacker position for years.

Philip Robinson III: Middle linebacker is a problem for the Oakland Raiders. In this Seattle Seahawk copycat defense, the Raiders do not possess the level of athletes and players to the caliber of Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright on the roster at this time. With a philosophical change from the 4-3 under, to a 3-4. With a simplification of responsibilities, the linebackers currently on the roster are better by the scheme. It remains to be seen if that is what happens, but as it currently stands the best three middle linebackers in my opinion without having seen the rookies, are probably Corey James, Jelani Jenkins and Marquel Lee…

James Arcellana: I don’t want to be captain obvious or anything but clearly it’s the defense. I know a lot of people will be more specific and point to the linebackers, but I think that’s getting a little ahead of ourselves. Let’s not forget that last year, there were a lot more problems on defense than just the linebackers. I know guys like Gareon Conley, Obi Melifonwu and Justin Vanderdoes along with a healthy Mario Edwards, Jr. are all supposed to make the defense better but until we see it, that’s just speculation. The Raiders need to improve on all aspects of defense and while I do believe they will until they actually show improvement, the defense as a whole remains the biggest weakness on this team.

Mario Tovar: Well considering the recent developments it can be said that cornerback and left tackle should be up for consideration. If Penn holds out then thankfully Kelechi Osemele can fill the spot but now the depth at offensive line is spread a little bit thinner which should always be concerning when you remember what happened late last season and in the playoffs when Penn was unavailable and then Hudson going down in the game. And yes, middle linebacker also worries me as we’re expected to believe that everything will be fine with a rookie holding down the middle. I’m disappointed Reggie McKenzie didn’t address this position more in free agency.

What are the Raiders’ biggest strengths?

Ray Aspuria: Offensive line, quarterback and wide receiver. The Raiders Nation of Domination O-line is an imposing unit and are certainly eager to keep gunslinging quarterback Derek Carr protected and upright. The offensive line sets the brutal tone on offense and the rest of the skill positions click in place. Carr is one of the games best young quarterbacks and he has a solid 1-2 combo to throw to in Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper.

Maliik Obee: The biggest strengths for the Raiders are at the running back and wide receiver positions. Bringing in Marshawn Lynch makes the Raiders a team to watch for both fans and opposing personnel. Lynch has never had a line like this in front of him, and he has 3 solid backs behind him in Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington and Jamize Olawale. Even rookie Elijah Hood can produce if necessary or just learn under BeastMode’s wing. The receiving corp features Pro Bowl stud Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, who is coming off his first 1000-yard season since 2012. In the slot, Seth Roberts provides a threat that is just as dangerous with the ball as he is blocking. That’s when he actually catches the ball. The Raiders have brought in former Vikings one-man-show Cordarrelle Patterson, who will double as an optional receiver for trick plays and variation as well on special teams. Deep in the depth chart lies Jayden Mickens, Johnny Holton, Ishmael Zamora and Keon Hatcher, who will all fight for a spot and a chance to show their skill.

Derek Carr- The man is special. He gets it on the field and off. His good nature is infectious and the way he carries himself is A+… With his contract extension and future locked up for years to come, Carr will have the opportunity to become the Raiders greatest quarterback of All-time, should he continue his upward trend.

Khalil Mack- A walking hall of famer is what he has been named by his teammates. The 2016 defensive player of the year, to coin Mark Jackson, “Mama there goes that man!” The man is a freak of nature at either of the two positions he is credited with being named an all pro at…

Todd Downing- …The best thing going for him is he has absolutely no tendencies for opposing coordinators to lock into. Downing has been given the keys to an impressive offensive machine and nobody knows just quite what to expect.

James Arcellana: It all starts and ends with Derek Carr… When you have a special talent at quarterback, it changes everything. Everyone on your team is better because of a guy like Carr, who is not only a leader on the field but a leader off of it as well…

Mario Tovar: One word; offense. This offense has the potential to do something special this season and that’s an understatement at this point. And NFL MVP-caliber quarterback, a stable of running backs who each have individual talents, the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, and a nice group of tight ends…

What are your biggest questions headed into Oakland’s 2017 season?

Ray Aspuria: What happens if Carr goes down, again? This is the biggest question as the backup QB position is still a bit of a question mark. Connor Cook was neither sound nor atrocious when thrust under center considering he was a rookie who got virtually no snaps in practice before Carr went down. E.J. Manuel is not a better option as he’s shown whether he’s pressured or not, he can both under or overthrow a wide-open receiver.

Philip Robinson III: Can someone cover the tight end? Will the defense protect this house? How far can Carr rise?

James Arcellana: The biggest question for me is whether or not the defense can develop a pass rush. While there were clearly issues with the secondary and linebackers last season, if you ask me, a quality defense in today’s NFL starts with your pass rush. A great pass rush will make your secondary better while also limiting what the opposing offense can do. Despite having the Defensive Player of the Year in Khalil Mack and a seven sack player opposite him in Bruce Irvin, the Raiders were last in the league in sacks and that’s just plain unacceptable.

Mario Tovar: Will defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. make it thru the early part of the season? What’s going to happen if the defense struggles again, will he be replaced by Coach Pagano? Are we putting too many expectations on this team? I mean let’s not forget the Raiders haven’t had a playoff win since 2002. So maybe let’s take this one game at a time for now.

What are you most excited for in the coming Raiders season?

Ray Aspuria: An improved showing from the defense, namely the secondary. With ex-Charger defensive coordinator John Pagano serving as assistant head coach/defense, he’s main job is improving the communication in the secondary. He has a veteran in Reggie Nelson to lean on while he has a heat-seeking missile who is finally healthy in Karl Joseph. Pagano also has two veteran outside corners and young rookies Gareon Conley and Obi Melifonwu to mold.

Maliik Obee: I’m actually most excited to see the offensive line battles. The Raiders line allowed the least sacks in the NFL in 2016, but face issues at both left and right tackles. Pro Bowl tackle Donald Penn is the enforcer on the left end, but at 34, father time is sure to knock sooner than later. Penn has expressed his desire to take the young guys under the wing, namely rookie David Sharpe. Between Sharpe, Denver Kirkland and rookie Jylan Ware, it’ll be interesting to see who can serve as a formidable backup until Penn is off the books next summer. At right tackle, Ware, Vadal Alexander and Marshall Newhouse will look to knock off Austin Howard[Howard has since been cut] for his starting job. If the Raiders can bolster the already-solid offensive line, the sky is the limit offensively.

James Arcellana: For me, it’s Marshawn Lynch, but that’s a very personal answer. As someone who was raised in Oakland, I’ve been watching Marshawn Lynch play since he was in high school at Oakland Tech. And when Lynch went to Cal after high school, I was able to continue following him because I am a Cal Football season ticket holder. The other thing to remember is that Lynch does a lot for the Oakland community and as a member of that community, I’m very grateful. So for me, just having Lynch don the Silver and Black will be a special moment…

Mario Tovar: In all honesty, I want to see Derek Carr take the next step and become the NFL MVP which won’t be easy considering the schedule and also let’s win that Lombardi Trophy for the people of the Bay Area before the inevitable happens.

Check out each one of them for daily Raiders content and insights. Stay tuned for more West Coast NFL Roundtables on Left Coast Sports.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/raiders-roundtable-weaknesses-strengths-questions-and-expectations-for-oakland-in-2017/feed/0Carolina Panthers v Oakland Raiderser7treyRaiders Roundtable training campSeattle Seahawks Roundtable: Biggest Questions before Training Camphttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/seattle-seahawks-roundtable-biggest-questions-before-training-camp/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/seattle-seahawks-roundtable-biggest-questions-before-training-camp/#respondWed, 02 Aug 2017 11:57:40 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=721678What happens when you ask the same question to multiple Seattle Seahawks experts from around...]]>What happens when you ask the same question to multiple Seattle Seahawks experts from around the web? You get different and not so different answers from those writers and fans that know the NFC West powerhouse the best.

Question: What are the Seahawks’ biggest weaknesses headed into the season?

Lee Vowell: Like 2016, the biggest weakness for the Seahawks this season is the offensive line. Seattle signed veteran, and so far disappointing in his career, Luke Joeckel to play either left guard or left tackle. George Fant was starting by the end of last year at left tackle and seems to be the guy this year as well. He has to be better than last year if solely because he gained experience. If Fant starts off poorly, Joeckel may move out wide if he can show he has overcome last year’s MCL injury. Justin Britt is solid at center. But Mark Glowinski is a bit unknown at right guard after moving from left guard and Germain Ifedi will be playing right tackle for the first time as a pro. I think backup Ethan Pocic was a nice pick in the second round of this year’s draft but he’s still a rookie.

Stuart Court: …Camp will be a big thing to watch for Seahawks fans. With hope of the team settling on a starting five earlier than the past few years. George Fant and Germain Ifedi will need a ‘second year bounce’ to aid the unit. Fant appears likely to be the man at left tackle, if he settles in at the spot in 2017, that will be a long-term answer and will be a massive bonus in the 2017 season for Seattle.In at center, Justin Britt was the bright spot of the 2016 unit as he finally found a spot to thrive in on the line. He enters 2017 as a contract year and if he continues his consistent play, the deal will be forthcoming by seasons end.

While the weakest point of the Seahawks, the line has the biggest room for improvement.

Lars Russell: Seattle’s greatest vulnerability is along its offensive line. It’s been that way for years but the problem got worse in 2016 when the Seahawks gave up pressure on 35 percent of passes and dropped to 25th in rushing, after finishing top five in that category every year since 2012. Poor blocking helped contribute to repeated injuries to running backs Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise and quarterback Russell Wilson. Seattle can’t sustain those kinds of problems and succeed on offense.

Question: What are Seattle’s biggest strengths?

Lee Vowell: As a unit the Seahawks are best along the defensive line. If Michael Bennett can stay healthy, the Seahawks have at least three legit pass rushers in Bennett, Cliff Avril and Frank Clark. There was an issue with the interior pass rush in 2016, but second-year defensive tackle Jarran Reed should be better this season. Plus, if Malik McDowell gets time inside he could add a lot to the rush. Ahtyba Rubin and Reed are excellent against the run. Individually, the Seahawks still have Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Russell Wilson. That talent alone should make them win the NFC West.

Stuart Court: The Seahawks, in a league where the QB is king have their’s settled. That, in the wider picture is the Seahawks biggest strength. Relying on him- after a year of injuries- is a comfort the Seahawks can lean on. Getting his running ability back will be a big key for the running game behind him and also the productivity of the Seahawks offense.While the defense will be as they have been for so many years now, the offensive strength has a chance to be special in 2017. With health not lingering over Wilson at this point, Jimmy Graham a year futher removed from his knee injury really adds to excitement of the unit.

Matched with Doug Baldwin being a top-10 WR over the past few years, that continuing and the three-pronged attack with Thomas Rawls, Eddie Lacy & C.J Prosise at running back really could be a fun group to watch for Seattle.

But it’s the reliability and safety in the knowledge of having the ‘franchise QB’ in place which is the Seahawks biggest strength.

Lars Russell: After years of being famous for their secondary, the vaunted Legion of Boom, the biggest strength now is probably the defensive line rotation. Starting pass rushers Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett both went to the Pro Bowl, and their third-down specialist Frank Clark totalled 10 sacks in his second year. Clark is only 23, and has a chance to become the most fearsome force on this defense in 2017.

Question: What are your biggest questions headed into the Seahawks’ 2017 season?

Lee Vowell: The biggest question, besides the offensive line, heading into 2017 might be how good Jeremy Lane will be outside playing at the corner position opposite Sherman. Shaquill Griffin may also get a shot to play early, but what can fans really expect from a rookie corner in the NFL?

The next biggest question may be running back. How healthy can Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise stay? How much of an impact will Eddie Lacy have? If the Seahawks really want to get back to run-first, these three will have to produce at high levels.

Lars Russell: Can Seattle train a cornerback quickly enough to absorb the responsibility of starting opposite Richard Sherman? The Seahawks drafted a pair of young backs to compete for the slot while 2016 started DeShawn Shead recovers from a torn ACL, but with Sherman shutting down the left side of the defense whoever steps into that role will take a lot of punishment. Without a tight back end, Seattle’s defensive scheme doesn’t work properly so how swiftly they fill that hole at cornerback might determine if the Seahawks can rack up enough wins to make another run at the Super Bowl.

Question: What are you most excited for in Seattle’s upcoming season?

Lee Vowell: That the Seahawks seem to always be in contention. They have been to two Super Bowls recently. Do I expect them to win a championship in 2017? No, but I expect them to have a chance.

Other than that, I am excited to see the potential of the passing game if Paul Richardson, Tyler Lockett, Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham can all stay healthy. That would be a lot of weapons for Russell Wilson. This could potentially be the best Seahawks offense in years.

Stuart Court: …On the field, seeing the Wilson/Graham/Baldwin trifecta is really something I’m pumped to see.Outside of that the impact of the rookies from the 2017 class. Namely Malik McDowell, Shaq Griffin and Amara Darboh. Getting work and production from those three will say a lot for not only the make-up of the 2017 roster but also decisions the team could make in 2018.

Lars Russell: I’m fascinated by the battle at running back, with Thomas Rawls coming into the season healthier than 2016 to compete with free agent arrival Eddie Lacy. Lacy is a pounding back who might provide some of the wrecking-ball style Seattle got used to with Marshawn Lynch, but Rawls is also a physical player with a quicker, jagged running style that helped him lead the league in yards per attempt as a rookie in 2015. With C.J. Prosise and Marcel Reece catching passes, the Seahawks backfield could become an electric tandem again.

Before the opening of NFL training camps around the league, we asked some writers around the internet to answer questions about their teams. Stay posted for the entire NFL Roundtable series which covers teams from the NFC West and AFC West.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/seattle-seahawks-roundtable-biggest-questions-before-training-camp/feed/0Arizona Cardinals v Seattle Seahawkser7treySeattle Seahawks roundtableLos Angeles Chargers Roundtable: Biggest questions before Training Camphttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/los-angeles-chargers-roundtable-biggest-questions-before-training-camp/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/los-angeles-chargers-roundtable-biggest-questions-before-training-camp/#respondTue, 01 Aug 2017 19:43:27 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=721725What happens when you ask a bunch of different Chargers writers the same questions? Do...]]>What happens when you ask a bunch of different Chargers writers the same questions? Do you find similarities in their answers or does each offer different insight into the subjective reality of the Los Angeles Chargers?

In our latest West Coast NFL Roundtable, we asked Pro Football Focus and Chargers Wire writer Austin Gayle, LA Sports Hub expert Jason Reed and Justice is Coming creator Ross Warner a few questions. Find out about the Chargers strengths, weaknesses, expectations and questions as they enter training camp.

1. What are the Chargers biggest weaknesses headed into the season?

Austin Gayle:Though it’s almost unfair to label injuries as a weakness for any team, the Chargers have caught a persistent, vicious injury bug and just can’t seem to swat it. Keenan Allen, Jason Verrett and Melvin Gordon have all struggled with injuries far too often, and now their first-round pick Mike Williams is joining the party.

The Bolts own one of the more talented rosters in the NFL, but such a roster only looks good in between the sidelines, not on them…

Jason Reed: I think the biggest weakness has to be how thin they are in the secondary. While I think the starting unit can definitely hold its own and put the team in a situation to win, last season we saw just how thin they were. With Jason Verrett out most of the year, the team really struggled. It wasn’t so much that they were bad statistically, it was just as the game came down to the finish line the holes were exposed and opposing offenses exploited them.

Ross Warner: In terms of personnel, they are relying on a lot of guys not getting hurt that have been hurt many times in the past. I can’t even get too worried about Mike Williams since he hasn’t played a down for the Bolts. I do question Tom Telesco using the 7th pick in the draft on a guy who may have gotten hurt at the combine. Usually, they BECOME Chargers before that happens. Seriously, I was one of the people who wondered why they went for a receiver at that spot. But when you consider how many games Keenan Allen (who was only available for the Bolts because of HIS injuries at Cal), it seemed like it wasn’t such a bad idea. When Lamp and Feeney fell into to their laps, the Williams pick suddenly seemed genius. That is unless he’s as injury prone, if not more, than Allen.There is also the question of how being the team that left San Diego will affect them. It kills me that Dean Spanos moved the team. However, more seasons of being in limbo weren’t helping anybody…

I totally understand San Diegans wanting their former team to fail in every way, but I think a fresh start could help. The Colts won a Super Bowl after leaving Baltimore and the former Browns won two after they filled the void left behind by the Irsays.

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Philip Rivers has been and will continue to be a strength for the Chargers, as will the tight end position with Antonio Gates and rising star Hunter Henry.

Jason Reed: The biggest strength has to be the revamped offense if it can stay healthy. Forrest Lamp in the second round had to be the best draft pick in the entire draft, with Dan Feeney being a great third round pick as well. Bringing in Russell Okung was huge, and now, Rivers finally seems to have a line that can protect him… We saw last year when Rivers and the passing game played good Gordon ran the ball good. Again though, if healthy.

Ross Warner:Anthony Lynn hasn’t coached a game for the Chargers but the fact that he’s not Mike McCoy already makes him a strength. Seriously, Mike McCoy’s absolute refusal to ever learn that trying not to lose isn’t going to help you win was undeniably holding this team back. In fact, he was a bigger deterrent to winning than all the injuries, in my opinion.Again, I think a fresh start will help. However, I get a little worried when I already see a lot of pundits picking the Bolts as their sleeper team. Philip Rivers is only a strength if he cuts down on the interceptions. Of course, those passes were caught by Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, and Keenan Allen. But since none of them were out there last year, they were interceptions often returned for touchdowns. The fact that they overhauled the offensive line was a good thing, although Joe Barksdale’s contract makes it nearly impossible to unload his sorry ass. Not only does he suck, but bailed out on attempting to recover fumbles in Atlanta and Denver. If you’re Cam Newton in the Super Bowl, you hear about it. But when you are an albatross around the necks of the NFL’s biggest and worst-graded line, only people like me harp on it.

3. What are your biggest questions heading into the 2017 Chargers season?

Austin Gayle:To avoid sound redundant, I will avoid asking about the health of the Chargers’ roster and instead ask if this team can rally beneath new head coach Anthony Lynn in clutch moments to outplay the top teams in their division?

All three opposing teams in the AFC West are going to pose as threats to the Chargers’ playoff aspirations. As such, a playoff berth will likely be determined by just a few points, plays, minutes, or even moments. Will Los Angeles rise to the occasion? Or, will they let their potential crumble on top of them?

Jason Reed: My biggest question is how this move to LA is going to pan out. Being a Dodger fan and closer to LA than San Diego, the move is more convenient for me. However, I think that having an NFL team play at the StubHub Center is an absolute joke. Dean Spanos seems to be pinching pennies in any way that he can and it just sickens me. Personally, I am not hurt too much emotionally by the move, but I am hurt in the aspect that it just doesn’t make sense. But, the NFL is a business after all, so I am just curious to see how this all pans out – especially with more Raider fans in LA than Charger fans.

Ross Warner: I’m most concerned about the young guys. Can Melvin Gordon, from whom so little was expected after an awful rookie season, take the next step. He had some awful fumbles against the Saints and Raiders. Can he wrap up the ball and can he stay healthy? Jason Verrett hasn’t been able to stay on the field either. Casey Heyward was great in his absence, but Verrett is the key.

4. What are you most excited for in the coming Chargers season

Austin Gayle: As a lifelong Raiders supporter, I’m not too excited to see the Chargers have success in 2017. However, I am excited to see their young stars (i.e. Bosa, Henry, Brown, Gordon, Watt) continue to develop into notable players in the NFL. I can’t get behind the Bolts, but I can get behind their talent.

Jason Reed: I’m most excited to see an entire season of Joey Bosa and our pass rushing. I would say that I am most excited to see a playoff run, as I think they are capable of doing so, but I’ve learned as a fan to not get my hopes up. Therefore, Bosa and company have to give me the most excitement this year. We all saw what Bosa alone did in just 12 games last season. Now, we get a full season of seeing Bosa, Luiget, Ingram and others all working together. There will be fireworks and it will be fun to watch.

Ross Warner: … I’m most excited to see how they respond to being hated in San Diego and largely ignored in Los Angeles. If they win, the latter will change. Of course, the story of being a Charger fan is being excited for something and then having it wiped away…

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/los-angeles-chargers-roundtable-biggest-questions-before-training-camp/feed/0San Diego Chargers v Atlanta Falconser7treyChargers roundtableMLB Trade Deadline Special: West Coast teams reviewhttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/mlb-trade-deadline-special-west-coast-teams-review/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/mlb-trade-deadline-special-west-coast-teams-review/#respondTue, 01 Aug 2017 16:14:24 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=722463The MLB’s trade deadline delivered plenty of excitement on Monday, especially for two west coast...]]>The MLB’s trade deadline delivered plenty of excitement on Monday, especially for two west coast teams. One team traded away their ace and the other team went out and got one.

The Oakland Athletics, after numerous offers, finally found a package deal to their liking for their #1 pitcher Sonny Gray. Gray was traded to the first place New York Yankees (as of July 31) for three of their top 12 prospects in their minor league system.

Reports leading up to the deadline speculated the A’s were asking for Clint Frazier or Gleyber Torres from the Yankees. Unfortunately, Oakland could not grab Frazier or Torres. What they did receive were some high ceiling players in outfielder Dustin Fowler, middle infielder Jorge Mateo and pitcher James Kaprielian. All three guys have great talent but carry some questions marks as well. Fowler ruptured a tendon during his first game with the Yankees this season. Kaprielian, who was the top pitching prospect for the Yankees earlier in the year, had Tommy John surgery. Lastly, Mateo has great speed but has played inconsistently.

Dustin Fowler out with knee surgery, James Kaprelian down with TJ, but if both get back healthy, that's a whopper of a return for Oakland.

The first place Los Angeles Dodgers went out and added another ace to pair with three time Cy Young winner, Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers traded for Yu Darvish, from the Texas Rangers, in exchange for the Dodgers fourth ranked prospect Willie Calhoun, pitcher A.J. Alexy and shortstop Brendon Davis. His last start in Texas is one he would like to forget. The four time All Star allowed 10 runs in 3.2 innings against the Miami Marlins on July 26. Before that start, Darvish had a nice 3.44 ERA. Once Kershaw returns from his DL stint, the rotation will feature three 2017 All Star pitchers in Kershaw, Darvish and Alex Wood.

A team chasing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West made their big trade earlier in the month. The Arizona Diamondbacks added J. D. Martinez mid-July to bolster their lineup. In regards to the deadline, the Diamondbacks made a little noise on Monday. Arizona acquired two players, infielder Adam Rosales from Oakland and relief pitcher David Hernandez from the Angels. Even though these players lack star power, the D Backs didn’t give up much for the two either.

J.D. Martinez belts a solo dinger to left-center field to complete back-to-back home runs with Paul Goldschmidt in the top of the 4th inning pic.twitter.com/roo0BkHurK

The Mariners are sitting three games back from the final wild card spot but surprisingly were quite on the final day of the trade deadline. Seattle made a couple of moves earlier in the month, but nothing significant.

The San Diego Padres, 27 games back of the Dodgers, had no action during the non waiver trade period. Brad Hand, a 2017 NL All Star selection, stayed put after the 1:00 p.m. deadline. With Hand under control for another two and a half season, the Padres price tag for him may have scared some teams off looking for a top notch reliever.

The San Francisco Giants are sitting in the same position as their neighbors to the east, last place in the division. Looking to move some players, the Giants tradedEduardo Nunez to the Red Sox for pitchers Shaun Anderson and Gregory Santos for their lone trade. It was a decent return for Nunez, who was set to be a free agent at the end of the season. Early on in the process, the Giants made it clear to teams that Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner and Brandon Crawford were off limits.

Lastly, the other team in Los Angeles, the Angels, only made one move. They traded away relief pitcher Hernandez to the Diamondbacks for pitcher Luis Madero. Madero, 20-year-old from Valenzuela, was not ranked inside Arizona’s top 30 prospects list.

Did your team get better at the trade deadline? Are you happy with the prospects your team received? Let me know in the comments below.

]]>http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/mlb-trade-deadline-special-west-coast-teams-review/feed/0yu darvishazaragoza02Los Angeles Rams Training Camp Roundtablehttp://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/los-angeles-rams-training-camp-roundtable/
http://thesportsdaily.com/left-coast-sports/los-angeles-rams-training-camp-roundtable/#respondMon, 31 Jul 2017 20:11:52 +0000http://thesportsdaily.com/?p=722313I scoured the internet searching for Los Angeles Rams writer for our series of West...]]>I scoured the internet searching for Los Angeles Rams writer for our series of West Coast NFL Roundtables. I reached out to bloggers on the largest networks but didn’t hear anything back. I did get back some responses but a few writers missed my deadline.

This really isn’t surprising given that true Rams fans are hard to find. Living in Los Angeles, half the Rams fans I know became fans because they missed the NFL in L.A. Otherwise, there is a large group of diehard Rams fans from their hay day in the city. I only know a few of those people so I’m not sure where they get their news.

Either way, Jake Ellenbogen of Downtown Rams made himself readily available for our pre training camp questions. Camp is underway but these questions are all relevant. Ellenbogan answered these questions via email. Check him and his site out.

What are the Rams’ biggest weaknesses heading into the season

Well, up until this season the Rams have always lacked a starting caliber left tackle. That has now changed with the acquisition of Pro Bowl talent Andrew Whitworth coming into the fray. Since that solidifies left tackle, it also helps out second-year QB Jared Goff mentally and physically knowing that he won’t be taking consistent hits in his blind spot.

The biggest weaknesses though have to lie with uncertainty in the running game. We could all argue that Todd Gurley is going to be fine and his second-year struggles were directly from bad play calling and a bad offensive line. However, we cannot just forget about placing Gurley’s blame on well, Gurley. There were instances on film that I caught him missing holes or failing to burst through one quick enough, once he found one. Unlike his rookie year, Gurley looked rattled a bit, so until we see Gurley come into his own again it’s hard to say a running back group of a struggling Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Lance Dunbar, Lenard Tillery and Justin Davis is not a weakness.

Even taking that a step further another weakness has to be the secondary. As much as I love the pieces, they are just that, pieces. We have no idea how well these men will play around each other. The Rams have a combined zero starts between any combinations of two safeties and two corners. Zero. You literally can’t make a combination out of what is on the roster in which the four secondary players have played all together. Trumaine Johnson has played with Maurice Alexander and LaMarcus Joyner, but not with Joyner at safety. With the new projected starter Kayvon Webster there is uncertainty. I expect him to break out under his coach he had in Denver, but you truly never know what happens in the NFL.

What are the Rams‘ biggest strengths?

Their biggest strength as a whole has to be the defensive front seven by a country mile. If you are an NFL team running a 3-4 base defense with coaches like Wade Phillips and Joe Barry coaching that is already in to be a good group. However, when you look at the starting lineup only to find it’s a front seven made up of six first-round picks and one second-round pick that have all produced at a high level in the NFL now it’s something scary. When you identify those seven players to be Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Dominique Easley, Robert Quinn, Mark Barron, Alec Ogletree and Connor Barwin, now it’s really a sight to behold. Make no mistake this is one if not the best front seven on paper in the NFL right now. We have yet to see the Rams in a regular season run a 3-4 base defense, but on paper, this group certainly looks nasty.

Another huge strength for the Rams is special teams. USA Today actually ranked the Rams as the number one team in the league for special teams and it’s not hard to see why. The Rams have quite possibly the best kicker/punter duo in the NFL made up of elite punter Johnny Hekker and a man they have dubbed as “Legatron” Greg Zuerlein. That’s not all, however, the special teams unit has a pro bowl long snapper in Jake McQuaide, outstanding special teamers in Cody Davis, Bradley Marquez, Mike Thomas, Cory Harkey and Bryce Hager and the best special teams coach in football John Fassel. Even with some turnover possibly on the way, coach Bones Fassel will have this special teams unit prepared for a fun season.

What are you most excited for in the coming season?

First off, I, myself, will be going to my first Ram home game in September flying from New York to Los Angeles so that would probably be my most exciting thing for the Rams personally. However, with the Rams team in general? I am really excited to see the new comers. I am really excited to watch Goff in year two with an actual system and coaching staff that are teachers of the game. I am excited to see if Todd Gurley can go back to being a top-flight running back. I am really excited for the trio of wide receivers Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Tavon Austin, but also really looking forward to seeing players like Nelson Spruce, Shakeir Ryan and Paul McRoberts to see if they can not only make the roster but find an extended role within it.

Overall, as a Rams fan coming off a 4-12 season with a new coaching staff, new faces, scheme plan and new outlook. It’s all really exciting, you can’t fit into one thing what is most exciting because there is just so much exciting. The Rams defense could end up being seriously dangerous under Wade Phillips and I think that’s another thing that is just exciting. The bottom line is this. Many have predicted the Rams to barely win eight games, but on paper, if the uncertainty pans out the Rams could seriously be looking at a playoff berth.